Thirty-seven years of sobriety doesn't come with a medal ceremony or a balloon drop, but it does come with a story worth telling. This deeply personal episode pulls back the curtain on a part of my life many of you might never have guessed existed.
Born into a family with alcoholism running through its veins, my journey with alcohol began at just 12 years old with a screwdriver mixed by my mother at a New Year's gathering. Though I wasn't a teenage drinker, everything changed when I turned 21. From that point forward, I never drank "normally" – there was no such thing as just one glass of wine or a single cocktail. What followed were seven progressively darker years that included a failed marriage, dangerous relationships, and moments where I would check my car for dents in the morning, terrified I might have hit someone during a blackout.
My rock bottom didn't look like losing everything – I still had a job and had avoided a DUI – but I knew those consequences were just around the corner. On January 11, 1988, after my final blackout, I found my way to Alcoholics Anonymous. In the 80s, AA was experiencing its first wave of young people joining what had previously been dominated by older men. We created our own meetings with atmospheres that resonated with us – candlelight gatherings, speaker meetings, dances, and even sober bowling leagues where I would eventually meet my husband Craig.
Sobriety has taught me that life is messy, hard, ridiculous, and beautiful – but at least now I'm awake for all of it. If you're struggling with alcohol, please know there's a better life waiting for you. Those who came before were there for me, and now it's my responsibility to be there for the next generation. You can find AA meetings online or call their hotline. Stop drinking today – you won't regret it. But if you continue, I can promise the regrets will pile up, along with the losses.
Have you found yourself questioning your relationship with alcohol? Reach out for help today – your future self will thank you for it.